Diver watches: sturdy and stylish enough for seaside or trackside

In October 1927, a young Mercedes Gleitze swam across the English Channel, becoming the first woman to do so.

Tied around her neck with a piece of ribbon? A Rolex Oyster, the brand’s first waterproof watch. It had been released just the year before.

After more than 10-plus hours in the water, the watch was declared to be in perfect working order. Gleitze became a celebrity the world over, and a legend was born. Rolex has showcased her achievement ever since.

The historical significance of this moment? At the time, wristwatches were relatively new, especially for men. A big question remained: Could a watch survive outside the pocket? “The Wonder Watch that Defies the Elements,” cried the resulting media blitz. Land speed champ Malcolm Campbell famously wore an Oyster as well.

The Rolex Deepsea, a modern take on the classic Oyster, retails for $54,200. For about $53,000 less, Seiko offers its reissued Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver’s Watch. Photograph Courtesy Seiko

The Rolex Oyster, along with what we now formally call diver’s watches, has evolved over the last hundred years. The current ISO standard that regulates today’s diver’s watches also makes them suitable for those who choose to remain on land: sturdy, watertight, easy to read. The rotating bezel up to 60, by the way, is also specified by the standard.

Bonuses of the diver’s watch: It goes with anything, can be found for almost any budget, and has been associated with so many superheroes, from James Bond to insurance salesman turned Arctic explorer Ralph Plaisted.

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Comments

J.A. Ackley Senior Editor
12/18/24 8:41 a.m.

Fantastic history. Mercedes Gleitze also had an interesting history. She was quite the endorsement queen, from Rolex to Paddy Whiskey to Lipton's Tea.